Carolyn asks: Add your ideas to the list: What ingredients do you keep on hand to make dinner with?

Corn bread dressed up with savory, hearty options is always something I do. I always have cornmeal because I love to cook with it. Not too expensive and it has a lot of fiber. Eggs and cheese; who doesn't have in the fridge? Throw those in with the cornmeal mix, some sauted onions and some frozen or can corn kernels. Ham works good too if you want more protein. I love spicy so if I have jalapenos, I include those. Everyone knows you can make a corn bread with basically anything, as long as you have the basics!

— Anonymous

09/09/2010 - 11:22pm

I always have pasta, rice/risotto, 28-oz cans of crushed tomatoes, smaller cans of diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and/or paste, canned beans (especially black beans and garbanzo), some dry beans like lentils, and a variety of frozen veggies on hand. My boyfriend and I will buy fresher items in season, but I can whip up a quick, healthy meal from the above items when we're out of fresh produce.

— Anonymous

07/28/2010 - 2:31pm

Large baking potatoes - these can be oven baked - or microwaved for faster cooking. They can then be topped with everything from canned chili to barbecued beef or tofu to quickly sauteed veggies and grated cheese. The sky's the limit. Quick, healthful, add a salad and you're done. We even like them with a bit of butter and creamed corn.

— Anonymous

04/30/2010 - 10:07pm

I always have canned tomatoes, rice, and chickpeas on hand. Throw in any vegetables from the fridge and spices and you have an easy stir fry.

— Anonymous

04/29/2010 - 5:18pm

My fave staples are black beans, chick peas, peppers, quinoa, onion, good whole stewed tomatoes,good dark chocolate, rice, pasta, garlic, lemons and apples. I can go ethnic or simple. I always have eggs as well. From this we can get stir fry, mexi quinoa, good hearty pasta dish, crumble for dessert, chocolate chip scone or cookie.

— Anonymous

04/28/2010 - 7:23pm

I love noodles and always have them on hand. I mostly add them to boiled dishes instead of rice or potatoes.

— Anonymous

04/28/2010 - 8:17am

I always have pasta, rice, frozen burgers and chicken, can of spaghetti sauce. I can make just about any quick meal with these. Lettuce, mushrooms and carrots, milk, juice in fridge.
J

— Anonymous

04/28/2010 - 7:46am

pasta, rice, fajitas shells, italian bread crumbs, parmasean cheese & different cans of tomato sauce& tomatoes, ...I buy the big bag of tyson frozen chicken breast and always have it on hand. I can make chicken fajitas, chicken parmasean, breaded chicken w/ hooters hot sauce sandwiches, chicken fetuccini alfredo, all of these are made with simple spices & staples that are already in my pantry. If you have these in your pantry you can sub chicken for ground sirloin and make tacos, chili, meatballs, meatloaf & mac & cheese.

— Anonymous

04/27/2010 - 6:24pm

I like to keep tomato products on hand all the tome for one thing. Like tomato sauce especially and canned crushed or diced tomatoes. Second of all, of course; cheese,shredded,grated and parmessan. As for meats, I think chicken and seafoods are important. We really like tuna and salmon for casseroles or patties. Then for desserts, you can't go wrong with fruits,sugar-free jellos and puddings and some fat-free whipped topping. Hope someone out there likes some of these ideas of mine. Sincerely, Diane McBride Smith